From Monarchy to Mao

Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times

In Nepal, the Maoists formally ended a decade long insurection that killed over 13,000 after signing a treaty in November of 2007. Elections took place on April 10, 2008 that ended the monarchy which has ruled Nepal since the country's birth. Many Nepalis hope it will be a bold move toward creating a modern democracy in this Himalayan nation.The Maoist party held a huge rally in the town of Kiritipur outside of the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. Over 2,000 supporters crowded the town's main street where many residents watched from high up in their apartments.

In Nepal, the Maoists formally ended a decade long insurection that killed over 13,000 after signing a treaty in November of 2007. Elections took place on April 10, 2008 that ended the monarchy which has ruled Nepal since the country's birth. Many Nepalis hope it will be a bold move toward creating a modern democracy in this Himalayan nation.The Maoist party held a huge rally in the town of Kiritipur outside of the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. Over 2,000 supporters crowded the town's main street where many residents watched from high up in their apartments. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A polling station is readied for voters in the capital city of Kathmandu. The elections in Nepal were a watershed event as the country struggled to move beyond its violent past as it dismantled the monarchy and took tentative steps toward being a democracy with the Maoist party leading the way.

A polling station is readied for voters in the capital city of Kathmandu. The elections in Nepal were a watershed event as the country struggled to move beyond its violent past as it dismantled the monarchy and took tentative steps toward being a democracy with the Maoist party leading the way. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)